You might give some thought to talking to your ophthalmologist about getting a pair of glasses with progressive lenses tuned for close work (in my case 8 inches to about 24 inches). The lenses take into account things like astigmatism and result in a lot less eye strain, for me anyway, than magnification lenses that are the same for both eyes and don't correct anything else.
I love my Optivsor. I use it over my prescription bifocals and it works great. I have a couple of others but they aren't as nice as Optivsor. Optivisor is worth the extra cost. Also, get the glass lenses. The plastic ones work, but the glass is better even though they cost more..
Paul
Just saw this on Amazon, made by/for the optivisor. If I needed more magification for a long time, I think I would swap out the whole lens, but just for a short burst to see something hard to see, this might be a good option
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I have an Optivisor from way back- I think from the 70's. I upgraded it a few years ago with the magnifying loupe and the six LEDs and put the battery pack on the movable part of the headband. I LOVE IT! The whole setup lets my old eyes work on things HO again.
Bob
Robert
The Tularosa Basin RR operating in the High Desert of Southern New Mexico
The Tularosa Basin: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Tularosa-Basin-NM-USGS-map_opaque.gif
rettop I have an Optivisor from way back- I think from the 70's. I upgraded it a few years ago with the magnifying loupe and the six LEDs and put the battery pack on the movable part of the headband. I LOVE IT! The whole setup lets my old eyes work on things HO again. Bob
hornblower I bought the "Magnifier Head Strap with Lights" from Harbor Freight Tools several years ago. I figured at five dollars, it would be worth a try. I use it all the time! It has three levels of magnification and works quite well. Is it perfect? No. The lights work but don't shine where you'd like them to. I use a desk lamp anyway. Also, the friction fit of the head strap pivot is marginal and may need some "work" to tighten. Is it worth five bucks? Heck yes!!!
I bought the "Magnifier Head Strap with Lights" from Harbor Freight Tools several years ago. I figured at five dollars, it would be worth a try. I use it all the time! It has three levels of magnification and works quite well. Is it perfect? No. The lights work but don't shine where you'd like them to. I use a desk lamp anyway. Also, the friction fit of the head strap pivot is marginal and may need some "work" to tighten. Is it worth five bucks? Heck yes!!!
Several years ago I bought a couple of these from Harbor Freight (when I was contemplating a move to Thailand where I might not find such an item).
The primary fault I find with these types (including the Optivisor) is they give me a headache due to their weight after a period of time.
BTW Hornblower the LED light can be re-directed on these.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
I know this sounds weird, but I take my glasses off to do my modeling and decaling, have never needed anything else.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
dti406 I know this sounds weird, but I take my glasses off to do my modeling and decaling, have never needed anything else.
Ya just give it some time and you'll catch up.
I was same until about age 50. My opthamologist says no matter how good your eyesight is, if you live long enough, you'll eventually need reading glasses.
wjstix dti406 I know this sounds weird, but I take my glasses off to do my modeling and decaling, have never needed anything else. Ya just give it some time and you'll catch up. I was same until about age 50. My opthamologist says no matter how good your eyesight is, if you live long enough, you'll eventually need reading glasses.
I will be 71 later this year, and I take my glasses off to read also.
wjstix My opthamologist says no matter how good your eyesight is, if you live long enough, you'll eventually need reading glasses.
My opthamologist says no matter how good your eyesight is, if you live long enough, you'll eventually need reading glasses.
I don't think that's true.
I doubt I will ever need reading glasses.
Henry may have some useful input on the subject.
Ed
I have an Optivisor but so far only recall using it for some painting of HO figures.
I also have clip-on magnifiers that look just like these (2-power) and usually go to these for general trains work at my work desk. I have a bright LED headlamp that I usually use for train work and the clip-ons do well with that. I have not investigated headlamps compatible with the Optivisor. But my "aid" used most often (additional to the continuous bi-focals that are on my face all day) is a headlamp, the magnifying "aid" less frequently. At $6, perhaps have both magnifying tools handy.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Loupe-Eyeglass-Lens-Folding-Magnifying-Glasses-Clip-On-Precise-Magnifier-Flip/253229635831?epid=506171867&hash=item3af5a998f7:g:MBUAAOSwnw9Z85UH
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
A vote against the opti-viser. I hated the thing. I found out for me that the best idea was to buy reading glasses from the $ store in different strengths. You can get up to a #4 there, if you need a more powerfull pair you have to pay more like #6 is $3. I also use a magnifyer light with or without glasses.
7j43k wjstix My opthamologist says no matter how good your eyesight is, if you live long enough, you'll eventually need reading glasses. I don't think that's true. I doubt I will ever need reading glasses. Henry may have some useful input on the subject. Ed
I suspect that if your eyes are generally pretty good (no odd astigmatisms etc.) you can get by with reading glasses from the dollar store or waltermart. This is true for me, I passed the license eye test without glasses until I was in my late forties. Now I use bifocals; the bifocal lens is good for not-too-detailed work. For more mag, I use a pair of inexpensive 4.5X reading glasses.
I saw an Optivisor at a garage sale, but it was filthy. I wasn't sure the lenses were still good, they were covered with oil and dirt. I'd like to try them someday.
Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority and CSX Intermodal. Interchange with CSX (CR)(NYC).
CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield
Back in my younger day and I modeled HO, I seldom used any kind of magnification. However, now that I am much older and model in N scale, the Optivisor is my main tool. Has an internal flip down glass that adds magnification plus has a loupe to flip down for really tiny stuff like extreemly small printing on rail cars. Amazes me that they can actually print stuff so small.
I am so used to the Optivisor that I typically put it on when building structures and forget that I have it on I have found myself walking out the door and suddenly remember to take it off.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's